"Instant" Gratification
In the age of the Internet, who writes love letters anymore? The romantic epistolary tradition has gone high-tech; online love is all about the Instant Message (IM) window, with its unique language of shorthand endearments: BRB (be right back), IMHO (in my humble opinion) and the ultimate phrase representing devotion and commitment potential, the coveted LOL (laughing out loud). But at the end of an e-communication, can we trust our memory of what happened? Absent of intonation and physical cues, how do we discern if a sentiment is mutual? And how real is the connection for today’s daters?
For more, you can read my latest Jewish Week column, "Instant Gratification," here.
I despise LOL, i don't know why - but it's the one IM acronym that pisses me off. No one is "actually" laughing out loud.
On another note, i used to use im constantly but now i usually use it to notify friends that i want to speak to them on the phone, i get too impatient with it. I also had my share of misunderstandings since i tend to be pretty sarcastic in real life however sarcasm doesn't come through so well over im chatting. Great article Esther (as usual).
Posted by: Petitedov | May 06, 2005 at 05:25 AM
I.M.'ing can get "stale," so it's best to use it to see if you want to graduate to talking on the phone. I think it's best to do that sooner than later. Then you can determine if there's consistency between what the person has written on their profile and in their i.m.'s, and if there's a mutual interest in arranging to meet.
It's a great tool if used purposefully, which is to eventually meet in person where the real decision-making takes place anyway.
Posted by: Dr. Janice | May 06, 2005 at 06:18 AM
Great article
Posted by: Essie | May 06, 2005 at 06:51 AM
The title reminds me of a quote from Postcards from the Edge.
"Instant gratification takes too long."
Posted by: Petitedov | May 06, 2005 at 09:03 AM
I actually do laugh out loud when I type LOL. Speak for yourself.
Posted by: brianna | May 06, 2005 at 09:55 AM
I write love letters, damnit. Pen. Paper. The whole shebang. Doesn't happen often. And usually it just gets me a restraining order for my troubles, but still.
Posted by: ken | May 06, 2005 at 10:42 AM
Yeah, I agree with Brianna. When I type LOL, I'm actually laughing as well. I hate typing it, but how else am I supposed to convey my goofiness? Just "hahaha" or "hehe" or "tee hee" or what?
I have to say, though, some of the acronyms have gotten so long and crazy, I'm not sure what's what anymore.
Posted by: Spring | May 06, 2005 at 11:22 AM
Never IM'd, but then I'm old. I did get really drunk and emailed someone I was madly in love with. Didn't work out, funny that.
Posted by: Coelecanth | May 06, 2005 at 12:23 PM
Most peopple i know don't actually laugh out loud, hence my comment was based on personal obsrvation. Those acronyms piss me off to no end, if you want to use them go right ahead. Last time i checked, Briana, i was speaking for myself.
Ken, i'm with you on the love letters - i use a fountain pen in fact. The little romantic still hasn't died it seems (well at this point it's gasping for air, reality hasn't completely finished him off)
Posted by: Petitedov | May 06, 2005 at 03:49 PM